COVID-19 and Asian Americans: Reinforcing the Role of Community-Based Organizations in Providing Culturally and Linguistically Centered Care

Abstract

Introduction Community-based organizations (CBOs) have provided critical resources during the pandemic, particularly for marginalized communities, and are trusted liaisons who connect socially and linguistically isolated community members, such as the highly diverse Asian American population, to care during public health emergencies. Stereotypes such as the model minority myth have permeated public perception of Asian Americans' health status and health care access needs, fueling widespread belief that Asian Americans do not experience health disparities, and mask the high rates of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection, hospitalization, and mortality among Asian Americans. The unequal burden of COVID-19 on Asian American communities has largely remained absent from the public health and national discourse, with exceptions such as community voices that have directed news media coverage and leading roles of CBOs in offering culturally adapted, in-language programming on COVID-19 infection prevention and control. Methods CBOs and their staff are well-equipped with the cultural acuity, language capacity, and familiarity with local norms to improve structural gaps affecting health outcomes and support health care delivery. Results We discuss the roles and responsibilities of CBOs in strengthening the health care workforce and expanding community-clinic linkages and provide two case studies illustrating the efforts of two community organizations serving Asian American and immigrant communities, who have been disproportionally affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Discussion CBOs are essential to supporting health service coordination and care delivery for structurally vulnerable populations, and are vital to sustaining the coordinated, multilevel public health response to improving community health. Conclusion Bolstering the current infrastructure to support CBOs is necessary to facilitating immediate responses to serve community needs.

Factors Associated with COVID‐19 Vaccine Uptake Among High School Students in a Large, Diverse Metropolitan Area

“…[31][32][33] Community-based organizations and nonprofits helped Asian-Americans by opening more accessible vaccination clinics, 31,33 scheduling vaccination appointments,, 31,33 and translating vaccine information. 31,33 Asian cultures also tend to be collectivistic with greater adherence to health authorities and recommendations 34 with greater trust in the scientific community compared to other racial/ethnic groups. 35 Distrust among unvaccinated respondents about government involvement and politicization of vaccine development may have played into fears about vaccine safety and efficacy and may have hindered government messaging about the vaccine.…”

“…Asian students were influenced more by possible community benefit with trust in primary care professionals and schools than Black and Hispanic students, but less than White students. Asian‐American vaccine uptake is high nationally and in Texas, although many lacked access to the vaccine initially 31,32 and may have been concerned about possible violence against Asians, blaming them for the pandemic 31‐33 . Community‐based organizations and nonprofits helped Asian‐Americans by opening more accessible vaccination clinics, 31,33 scheduling vaccination appointments,, 31,33 and translating vaccine information 31,33 .…”

“…Asian‐American vaccine uptake is high nationally and in Texas, although many lacked access to the vaccine initially 31,32 and may have been concerned about possible violence against Asians, blaming them for the pandemic 31‐33 . Community‐based organizations and nonprofits helped Asian‐Americans by opening more accessible vaccination clinics, 31,33 scheduling vaccination appointments,, 31,33 and translating vaccine information 31,33 . Asian cultures also tend to be collectivistic with greater adherence to health authorities and recommendations 34 with greater trust in the scientific community compared to other racial/ethnic groups 35 …”

Unified in Our Diversity to Address Health Disparities Among Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders

“…Working with community organizations who understand the cultures, languages, needs, and best ways to engage with and reach these subpopulations will ensure relevancy of research, diverse representation, and accuracy of data. 17 , 18 …”

Khmer Girls in Action and healing justice: Expanding understandings of anti-Asian racism and public health solutions

“…Previous scholarship has rightfully pointed to the importance of public health partnerships with Asian American community organizations, such as service providers and community-based healing (1,48). KGA's work points to how organizing is distinct in grappling with power and supporting those most impacted by health inequity to shift institutions.…”